#16: To Scale the Dragon (Inactive)

Game Master OnelungBL

"I think my bed had a rock in it or something." Merasiel rubs her lower back.

She takes position as a passenger in the last sled. If something should go wrong, she can jump out and still be able to flank.

Hope everyone's ok with that.

Markavious will take a seat in the middle sled, having slept wonderfully last night

what skill is needed to use those dogsleds? Because Tyrion is bad at both handle animal and ride :P. So would prefer to sit in the back

Under normal circumstances there is no need for skill checks. When the going inevitably gets rough, it'll be Handle Animal. Since the party doesn't have three characters with ranks in Handle Animal, I'll allow untrained checks.

"It appears I'm mushing," Sharna says drily, and takes the position of driver in the first sled.

"Ah, Master Markavious or Master Grymhaldt, might I persuade you to cast a few spells for me out of these scrolls? I fear they are not my discipline, but I would like my hands free of thick gloves in order to guide the dogs."

She hands over two scrolls of Endure Elements, requesting that one be cast upon her and one upon Ra. "Thank you."

Her own preparations for the day involve a few murmured chants and words over herself and Ra.

Mage armor on self. Greater False Life on her and Ra.

Greater False Life, self: 2d10 + 9 ⇒ (10, 4) + 9 = 23
Greater False Life, Ra: 2d10 + 9 ⇒ (4, 10) + 9 = 23

Watching Sharna hand over the scrolls, Volkard smiles. Don't bother wasting those, I can manage it for you.

pearl of power to recover Endure Elements and cast on Sharna. Volkard will also cast Mage Armor on himself.

Tyrion will ride with Sharna. Squishy casters need protection after all.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Tyrion will ride with Sharna. Squishy casters need protection after all.

-Posted with Wayfinder

I believe most of the group is squishy casters.

Markavious looks at Jory So...Have you ever driven one of these things before?

Jory hands over his wand to get some mage armor (if casting isn't an option).
He looks at Markavious with a frown: "How many self respecting dwarves have driven these? Well, how hard can it be."

Jory jumps on the sled with his sled buddy Markavious and decides to follow the lead of the first two sleds. He definitely wants to be near the front.
"Hopefully you can sling magic while I drive."
Jory is inexperienced but enthusiastic about his new job.
He can't help but say--Weeee!!"

Save your charges friend,

I will cast Mage armor on Jory(1 hour duration)

Don't you worry Jory, I can sling the magic if need be Markavious cannot help but smile at the enthusiastic dwarf.

Final sled configuration:
Musher1: Volkard, Passenger1: Merisiel
Musher2: Sharna, Passenger2: Tyrion
Musher3: Jory, Passenger3: Markavious

Shortly after dawn you depart on your dogsleds and begin the journey up the Dragon. The trip is uneventful, apart from the occasional breathtaking view and narrow ledge.

Some time after your lunch break you reach your destination. Near the top of the slope, a broad plateau wraps around the mountain. Near the middle of the plateau rises a squat, 30-foot-square stone rostrum, upon which stand four columns of dark gray stone. One of the columns is broken and lies half-buried in the nearby drifts of snow. In the center of the rostrum rests a five-foot-tall beehive-shaped nest built of ice and cairn stones seemingly frozen around a clutch of eight massive bluish-gray speckled eggs, each the size of a brandy cask.

Map added up at the top of the page.

Tyrion spots the eggs and wonders what creature they would belong to. know nature/arcane/dungeon/planes: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22

Volkard will assist Tyrion in identifying the eggs. He has at least a +9 in all the relevant skills, no rolls needed.

I see, mage armor for one hour--what an efficient use of sorcerer CL1 spells

After more yips of excitement along the way, Jory cannot help but see how his deep voice carries a few times.

Jory stops his sled and puts on his snowshoes and grabs his bow. He whispers:"Something laid those eggs!! Something big I bet !!"

Jory looks carefully around as he approaches as quietly as he can.
3 looks PER1/2/3: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (19) + 14 = 331d120 + 14 ⇒ (114) + 14 = 1281d20 + 14 ⇒ (2) + 14 = 16

stealth: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (8) + 14 = 22

Tyrion realizes that the eggs are that of a Remorhaz, a rather large specimen in fact.

I think there was something wrong with the map link. Should be fixed now.

"Bloody hell, those be Remorhaz eggs. Be careful lads. It might be around or even burrowing underneath us!"
Tyrion wispers to the others as he exits the dogsled (snowboots already on).
He casts shield of faith on himself (+3 deflection ac for 6 min), while observing the surroundings for the large creature.
perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (15) + 14 = 29

What does Tyrion know about Remorhazzes? Previous check or new one? know arcane: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (18) + 8 = 26

Tyrion knows that Remorhazes counter intuitively generate an immense amount of heat, so much that mere touching it can cause tremendous burns. Furthermore, they are big enough to easily swallow a human sized creature.

Surveying the eggs from a safe distance. Volkard suggests: Perhaps we should send something expendable over for the initial investigation?

You forgot to share the map.

Kn Arcana as well, though I doubt I'd get anything more than Tyrion did;): 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17

Sharna frowns at Jory's words, and nods slowly. Messing with the eggs of any natural creature will bring out the most protective and violent of instincts.

"I assume you have such a thing to offer, if you're volunteering it," Sharna says with a dry tone to Volkard. "I will not object to your plan. Ra: take to the air, and warn me if you see any disturbance beneath the snow."

With a light cry, the hawk does so, winging up into the air, well above the group.

Sending Ra about 50 feet up into the air, with instructions to scan for any disturbance that might indicate burrower in the snow. Ra is not going near the nest; just getting an aerial perspective.

Ra takes a peek, Perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (1) + 17 = 18

(Had to request permission to see the map, here, so I haven't seen it yet)

Tyrion shares his information.
"Dont suppose someone has a spell to protect me from its fire when I attack it?"

-Posted with Wayfinder

Volkard shrugs, Sorry, no. You are going to burn dwarf. Try not to stand too close.

Gods, I hate of smell of smoldering dwarf hair.

Ra spots five beastmen waiting to spring an ambush. Unfortunately they spot Ra as well and attack!

Combat order:
Merisiel
Sharna
Markavious
Volkard
Tyrion
Jory
Beastmen

I've set it up as a public image, so now the map should be accessible.

Arcana/Nature/Planes: 1d20 + 20 ⇒ (13) + 20 = 33 to identify

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25 when we stop, looking around.

Sorry Tyrion I do not have any protection from fire today

On his initiative, Markavious casts Empowered Acidball on the 3 beastmen grouped together Boom: 10d6 ⇒ (3, 4, 3, 2, 4, 1, 2, 5, 4, 4) = 32x 1.5=48+25=73(Ref 22)

"Pfft showoff." Tyrion grumbles as the wizard lets loose a huge acid splash.

Tyrion draws his bow and moves up closer. He shoots at the nearest beastman that is still standing.

arrow: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (9) + 6 = 15
dmg: 1d8 + 3 ⇒ (6) + 3 = 9

dajumn. Btw I can't edit the map so I can't move my character. He wants to move 4 to the left and up a square.

Markavious kills all three beastmen in one go.

Not willing to be left out, Tyrion fires an arrow that barely hits its mark and has wounded one of the remaining beastmen.

Combat order:
Merisiel
Sharna
Markavious
Volkard
Tyrion
Jory
Beastmen

Jory fires three arrows, firing thistle arrows until one hits the wounded one. Then he follows with normal arrows. If the wounded one falls, he fires at the other one.

full attack burn a ki for another shot

deadly aim/damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (2) + 8 = 101d8 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
deadly aim/damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (7) + 8 = 151d8 + 7 ⇒ (3) + 7 = 10
deadly aim/damage: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (19) + 8 = 271d8 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15

When the thistle arrow hits it begins to bleed.
rounds of bleed 1: 1d6 ⇒ 6

"Ra says there are--"

The howl of the attacking beast-men cuts off her words.

"...beastmen," Sharna sighs.

She whistles for Ra to return to her shoulder. "Ra! Come here..."

Sharna takes a small step backwards then stands waiting, calm eyes fixed on the beast-men.

Can't move my figure, but 5-foot step SW, then Readying Action for Misfortune Hex to the first beastman to come within 30' (if any of them live that long...)

Misfortune: Will save DC 20 or take the lower of two rolls for all d20s rolled within the round.

Seeing the first three beastment go down in acid, Volkards prepares a spell in case the remaining two attack.

Ready an action to cast Grease under the first beastman that charges into my 35' range. DC 18 reflex save to avoid falling. It will also bring an end to the charge action by introducing difficult terrain. It should also block the second beastman from charging, again due to difficult terrain. Movement through the 10' square of grease after the initial casting requires a DC 10 acrobatics check to avoid falling.

The map should finally be working now...

Two of Jory's arrows strike the wounded beastman felling it. The last beastman standing yelps and flees the scene.

Combat over

"Well that was easy enough." Tyrion notices. "Let us hope the rest of the mission is equally easy. Better keep an eye out for that Remorhaz, it won't be far away from them eggs." perception: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 26

Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16 Markavious scans the area, looking for the fearsome creature

Neither Tyrion or Markavious spots the beast.

Jory picks up his arrows and begins scouting around again.
1 good: 1d2 ⇒ 1

Finding a thistle arrow in good condition, Jory remarks.

"Elves charge more than beer for these thistle arrows!!"

stealth/perceptionx3: 1d20 + 14 ⇒ (12) + 14 = 261d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 271d20 + 14 ⇒ (7) + 14 = 211d20 + 14 ⇒ (17) + 14 = 31

Staying on the sled to avoid treading snow, Merisiel draws a couple of daggers, ready for something from a distance. "Thank the gods they didn't get to the eggs. Another beast in this mess would have been just a bit much, don't you think?"

"Should we proceed with our climb?"

Sorry I haven't been posting, an explaination will be left in the discussion.

"Let me see if Ra can see anything else from above, now that there is no longer a battle distracting him," Sharna suggests. She sends the complaining bird aloft once more, to scan for the mother of those huge eggs.

Ra perception: 1d20 + 17 ⇒ (16) + 17 = 33

If Ra sees nothing, he returns to her shoulder and shrieks all this into Sharna's ear, at what Sharna considers an unnecessary volume.

Chanting in a deep grating voice, Volkard raises a rough hewn humanoid of snow-covered stone. After listening to Volkard's brief instructions, it sinks into the mountainside, moving towards the nest.

Summon a small earth elemental. He has tremorsense.

त्या घरटे सुमारे बालवीर आणि मला मी पेक्षा मोठ्या सर्व प्राणी स्थाने परत तक्रार

It could also just meld through the stone

That was the intention.

Upon seeing the elemental meld into the ground, Markavious prepares himself for a possible attack. Could everyone stay within 50' of me, in case this beast shows itself, I am preparing a spell that will aid us all

Volkard's earthly minion senses a large being on the far side of the cairn, roughly 20 ft. under the surface.

Information relayed to the party

"Is it awake? Moving around? Or waiting to ambush us?

Bah I know I forgot something, I have me own scroll of resist energy."

Merisiel gets out of the sled, slowing moving up to Markavious, trying not to have her footfalls be too hard.

"Let's hope this beast is a heavier sleeper than Valeros." She keeps a dagger in her hand, just in case she needs it.

She glances around to see if anything else may be threatening the party.
Perception: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (16) + 12 = 28

Perhaps we can be on our way before the beast shows itself Markavious says quietly

"A splendid plan," Sharna answers Markavious, just as quietly, "but I fear any attempt to walk past it, near its nest, may earn its ire regardless. I can take myself to the air, but no one else, I'm afraid."

(Waiting for a location on the remorhaz, I think, to know if it's feasible for us to try and sneak around. Regardless, when we start moving forward again, Sharna will use her fly hex on herself for one minute of flight, and go well above the area when she crosses.)

"But the bones we come to collect surely are at that cairn with all the eggs. The bones are likely under the ice somewhere and picking away at it will warn the creature. Even with great stealth we might still call the mothers fury upon us.

I say we try with stealth, but prepare for battle. Perhaps with your flying powers you can scout the location Sharna. See if there is a way for us to get the bones without any issue. I always have a potion of fly with me since the dragon battle over Absalom, but I would rather not use it."

After listening to the others trying to figure out a plan for quite a while, Volkard puts forth a suggestion. Why don't I just send another elemental over to attack it. While the Remorhaz rips my pet apart, Markavious, Tyrion and Jory can kill the beast at range. Sharna can provide air support. I will remain, Volkard points towards a stone rise some distance back, over there, keeping out of everybody's way.

Tyrion nods in approval. "Use the stone one to draw it's attention to the surface, then use a fire one to fight it. It's heat ability would make short work of anything not resistant to fire. I'm suggesting we strengthen ourselves with magics beforehand. A spell of haste would be most useful in avoiding the great monster. I know not what else our spell casters can do to aid us?"

"I can apply a magical coating of grease to whoever plans on getting close to the the thing," Sharna says politely. "As I believe they are known for grabbing people in their jaws, and I am sure none of us would wish to be dinner. However, the duration will not be very long, (1 minute, from wand) so timing is of some concern. I may also bless those who wish to go forward with some luck, but I fear I can only provide that blessing once per day to each person. Alas, haste is beyond me. I can also say a prayer to my ancestors: perhaps they'll hear me."

Fortune Hex and the spell Prayer are my main 'buff' contributions, then healing once we start getting hit. I also have a potion of Resist Fire 10 that I can give to somebody if they intend to close in melee, since I'm planning to stay back.